Thugs pay taxicab driver with 11 stab wounds

Philly Confidential

A taxicab driver is recovering in the hospital this morning after two customers, instead of paying him for their ride, attacked him with knives, stabbing him 11 times and stealing his money, police said.

Miraculously, the 37-year-old driver's wounds were superficial, and he is expected to fully recover, police said.

The incident started just after 1:15 a.m., when the driver pulled his taxi over on Front Street near Christian in Queen Village to let two men out of his cab, said Officer Jillian Russell, a police spokeswoman. One of the men stood next to the driver's window, pretending to get money from his wallet, but the second thug approached and began stabbing the driver, Russell said. The first man then brandished a knife too and joined in the stabfest, stopping only when the driver was able to grab control of the blade to stab him back, Russell said. During the violence, one of the men took $205 from the driver, and both attackers fled on foot after the second man got in one last knife jab to the driver's head, Russell said.

The driver drove to Front and South Street and flagged down police officers, who took him to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Russell said. He remains there in stable condition with wounds to his head, arm, chest, hand and neck.

Police arrested one alleged attacker, 21, at Fourth and Federal streets. The second suspect, who police have identified, remains on the lam. Police haven't yet released either suspect's name.